Bending brake



Jan. 28, 1.936. 1 JENSEN 2,028,869

BENDING BRAKE Filed Jan. 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 28, 1936. J.JENSEN 2,028,869

BENDING BRAKE Filed Jan. 5, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 2 InQenJra/ Jo/1Hefe/15621v MHG/gus UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE BENDIN G BRAKE JohnJensen, Rockford,

Ill., assignor to Whitney Metal Tool Company, Rockford, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application January 5, 1933, Serial No. 650,235

18 Claims.

The invention relates to a brake for bending metal and has as a generalobject the provision of a machine of simple construction having a widerange of utility. 5 More particularly stated one object of the inventionis to provide a simple bending brake easily and quickly convertible toperform a number of operations usually performed on separate machines.

Another object is to provide a machine of the character described whichis easily and accurately adjustable to bend metal sheets of differentthickness.

Other objects and advantages will become apj.; parent from the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brake embodying the features of theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental vertical transverse sectional view taken near oneend of the brake.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the platen guide Ways.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective View of the machine when adapted forbox braking.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one element of the table adjusting means.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental view taken from the front of the machine showinglinger attached to the platen to adapt the machine for box braking.

Fig. 'l is a perspective View of a linger attached to the platen.

The invention in the embodiment selected for purposes of illustration,comprises, in general, a framework consisting of end frames lil andcross braces II connected between the frames to hold them in uprightposition. Fixedly supported between the end frames I is a horizontallydisposed platen I2 sloping downwardly and forwardly to terminate in acontinuous bending edge extending over substantially the entire distancebetween the end frames; and guided by the end frames il! for movementtoward and away from the platen I2 is a bed I3 positioned below thelplaten and serving to clamp between the bed and the platen the sheet ofmetal to be operated upon. An apron I4 is hingedly connected to the bedI3 and is swingable forwardly and upwardly to bend the -sheet of metalsecured between the bed I3 and platen i2. Movement of the bed I3 towardand away from the platen I2 is elfected by lever mechanisms I located atopposite ends of the brake and connected between the frames and the bed.

55 The utility of the brake is increased by constructing the same to beconvertible into a box braking machine. Generally stated, this isaccomplished herein by spacing the bed I3 relative to the continuousbending edge of the platen I2 in order thereby to accommodate anyupstanding, transversely extending edges of the box to be operated upon,and by providing a bending edge which cooperates with the bed in itsspaced position and is made adjustable so as to be of any desiredlength, and either continuous or discontinuous. Spacing of the bed I3relative to the continuous edge of the platen I2 is effected by means ofthe lever mechanisms I5 which are capable of supporting the bed eitherin a raised position adjacent the platen or in a lowered position spacedfrom the platen. To provide the bending edge, fingers I6 are applied tothe platen I2 in any number and arrangement, and in such a way as toproject downwardly and forwardly; and to enable the edge of the fingersI6 to be positioned properly with respect to the axis of the apron I4,the platen is rearwardly adjustable.

Referring now to the particular construction employed in the presentmachine, each of the end frames I0 is composed of a base Il extendingtransversely of the brake, and a head-block I8 supported by uprights I9and 2E! constituting respectively the front and rear of the end frame.The front upright I9 is H-shaped in cross section. At its lower end, theupright I9 is secured to a shoe 2l riveted to an upstanding flange 22 ofthe base Il and at its upper end projects into and is secured in arecess formed in the head-block I8 for that purpose. The rear upright 20is an angle iron riveted at its ends to the base Il and the head-blockIB.

The platen I2, supported between the end frames I0, herein is fixedagainst vertical movement but is adjustable laterally of the machine,and comprises a forwardly and downwardly inclined plate 23 bolted ateach end to a flange 24 on slides 25 supported on the head-blocks I8 ofthe end frames. Each of the slides 25 is formed with a groove 2S toreceive a horizontal, dovetail way 21 on the head-block I8. The rearedge of the plate 23 terminates in a flange 28 projecting downwardlysubstantially at right angles to the plate, while the forward edgecarries a blade 29 constituting the bending edge proper of the platen.The blade 29 has a rearwardly projecting flange 30 to provide a plane,hori- Zontal surface of substantial width and is removably attached tothe plate 23 by countersunk screws 3|.

.Cooperating with the platen I2 to support and is the bed I3. The latteris positioned below the forward edge of the platen I 2 and is movabletoward and away from the platen to secure or release a sheet of metal.

I9 of the end frames. Y

'Y In themain, the bed I3 consists of an I-beam 32 bolted at its ends tobox-like brackets 33` slidable on the uprights I9. Removably attached tothe top of the I-beam and projecting slightly beyond its forward edge isa strip 35 approximately of the saine width as the blade Preferably theweight of the bed isV partially counter-balanced. I-Ierein compressionsprings are employed for that purpose. Projecting ,upwardly from each ofthe shoes 2i and into the bracket 33 above is a rod V33 over which oneoi the springs 35 is placed. At the upper end, the spring 35 bearsagainst the bracket 33, while at the lower end the spring is adjustablyattached on Vthe upright I e.

Vable.

Ydownward movement of the bed I3.

to the rod 3e so that the counter-balancing effect of the spring may bevaried.

Support of the bed I3 in a raised position adjacent the platen I2 andmovementof the bed toward and away from the platen are eifected by theseparate mechanisms I5 mounted at each end of the brake and preferablyindependently oper- One of the mechanisms is shown in Fig. l andcomprises aV lever 31 pivoted on the end frame .I0 and a depending link38 pivoted at one en'd on the lever 31 and having a connec- Vtion .atthe other end with the bed I3. In the horizontal position of the lever3'! shown in Fig.

V1 the bed I 3 is removed from the platen il and permits the withdrawalor insertion of a sheet of metal which then may be clamped by swing-Ying the lever 31 upwardly to a substantially vertical position. Y

In order that lever 37 may be retained inits substantially verticalposition, the lever Si and the link 38 are arranged to constitute anovercenter device. Accordingly, the lever 31 is enlarged at its Vpivotedend and formed with a recess 39 opening along one edge of the lever. TheVlink 33 is connected to the lever 37 at a point within the recess 39intermediatethe Afulcrurn of the lever and the remote end thereof. Inthe horizontal position of the lever 3l' (see Fig. 4) the link 38 abutsa stop il formed by the edge of the recess 39 and thus prevents furtherswingingl ofthe lever 37 and consequently limits the Similarly the link38 abuts a stop 4I, formed by the opposite edge of the recess, when thelever38 has been swung upwardly beyond over-center position, whereby thelever is locked in that position and the bed retained inclampingposition.

The connection between the bed VI 3 and the link 38 is of a charactertorpermit of easy disconnection and is formed herein by a pin 62projecting through a hole 53 `in the link 38. The pin d2 is carried bya. plate I5 bolted to the bracket Y 33 acrossthe legs thereof. The plate4e serves Y as the immediate connection with the bed as well as .totarid in retaining the bracket slidable drawn from the pinfighi/'removing a screw Ifi' by which the link 38 is attached to thelever 3l.

In such Vmove-V vments, the bed I3 `is guided by the front uprights ThelinkSii may be .with-V to secure the sheet of metal'to be operated uponYclamp sheets of diierent thickness, adjusting means is provided. Hereinthis means is interposed between the bedY I3 and the link *t of each ofthe lever mechanisms, and consists of a pair of elongated blocks i5 andi3 arranged in eect to lengthen or shorten the link 38 by relativemovement of the blocks. The block :l5 is rigid with the plate iii andpositioned in face to Y face relationship with it is the blockV 43 fromVwhich the pin i2 projects. Theadjacent faces of the blocks haveintertting serrations 4'! inclined slightly from the horizontal so thatupon lateral movement ofV the block i6 it is cammed up or down relativeto the block lI5'and thus in effect lengthens or shortens theV link 38.i8 projecting through inclinedislots 479 in the blockfi and threadedinto the block 5 retain the blocks with the serrations in engagingrelationship during the lateral adjustment of the block 46 and may thenbe tightened Ytorprevent further movement of the block. I Iateralimove-Yment is imparted to the block i5 by operating bolts 5t threaded throughstuds 5IV on the plate de and bearing against the block at oppositesides thereof.

' The apron I 4, hingedly connected to the bed and operable to bend thesheet of metal secured between the bed and the platen, consists in themain of a normally depending leaf 52 supported with its upper, rearcorner as nearly as g possible coincident with the upper iront corner ofthe strip 3.4 on the bedand made rigid by a channel iron 53 welded tothe back of the leaf( At each end the leaf 52 is bolted to a hinge strap54 enlarge-d and forked at its upper end to receive astu-d 55 projectingfrom the bracket 33. The strap 54 is attached to the stud by Va pinprojecting through the stud 55 and the forkedend Bolts of the strap. Asis best seen in Fig. 2, the hinge axis of the apron concides'with theVfront corner of the strip 34 so that the upper edge of the` leaf 52,which effects the bending, will remain' V the normal thickness of theleaf 52 of the apron,

the upper o-r bending edge of the leaf 52 is formed in part by a strip58Y extending longitudinally of the apron. The Vstrip 58 is removablyattached and is shown in Figs. 2 and 4, as constituting approximatelyhalf of the thickness of the leaf 52. When the strip 58 is removed asheet of metal bent in one directionV may be reverselyY bent along aline spaced from the rst bend a distance less than the normal thicknessof the leaf 52 because the iiange formed by the rst bend may be receivedin the space formed by. the

removal ofV the strip 58. Preferably an angle iron 59 is also provided(see Fig. 4) Vwhich may be attached to the leaf 52 to support the sheetwhen it projects a considerable distance Y.iorwardiyof the edge of theplaten.' Y

As previously stated, the utility of the brake isY increased byconstructing the same to be'easilyV convertible into a box brakingmachine and also to be adjustable to facilitate Ythe bendingV ofconically shaped articles. The brake is converted into a box brakingmachine by spacing the bed Inorder that the bed I3 and platen YI2 may.i3 relative to the platen Y52.,.thereby to'accom- 75 modate anyupstanding iianges on the sheet to be operated upon, and by providing abending edge on the platen which cooperates with the bed in its spacedposition relative to the platen (see Fig. 4) Herein spacing of the bedI3 is eifected by means of the lever mechanisms I5 actuating the bed,and a bending edge, which will cooperate with the bed in its spacedposition, is formed on the platen I2 by means of the fingers I6 adaptedto be mounted on the platen.

The lever mechanisms are constructed to support the bed I3 either in araised position adjacent the normal bending edge of the platen I2 or ina lowered position spaced from the normal bending edge of the platen andare operable with the bed in either position to move the same toward oraway from the platen to secure or release a sheet of metal. Such spacingof the bed I3 is effected by varying the eiective length of theconnecting link between the bed I3 and the lever 3l. Accordingly, eachof the links 38 is formed with a second hole 68 spaced from the hole i3the distance the bed is to be lowered. The bed is thus supported ineither raised or lowered position by connecting the link 38 and the pinft2 with the pin projecting through the upper hole d3 or the lower hole6U respectively.

Herein each of the fingers I 6, constructed to be carried by the platenI2 to form a new bending edge cooperating with the bed I3 in its loweredposition, is narrow and plate-like and is mounted at on the plate 23.Each finger is longer than the plate 2S is wide, and is mountedtransversely thereof with its ends projecting beyond the edges of theplate. At the lower end, the finger terminates in a horizontal portion6i for cooperation with the strip 3ft on the bed, The lingers IE areattached in any number and grouping desired or necessary to provide abending edge permitting the projection therethrough of atransversely-extending, upstanding flange or iianges on the sheet to bebent. Thus in Fig. 6, `iust a sufficient number of ngers are attached tot between the upstandng flanges of a sheet to be formed into a boxthereby permitting the anges to project upwardly along the sides of thefingers at the ends of the row of fingers. It will be understood thatmore fingers might be added at the right in Fig. 6, leaving a space forthe flange on the box, or the fingers vmay be grouped differently thanshown to adapt the brake for a diierent size of box.

. Each nger I6 has a ange 62 on its bottom side forming a wedge-shapedrecess into which the blade 29 of the platen projects and a lug 63 atthe upper end through which is threaded a bolt Se. The bolt Sii bearsagainst the iiange 28 of the plate 23 and when tightened secures theiinger by wedging it over the plate 23. The wedgeshaped recess formed bythe flange 63 is preferably enlarged at its apex so that the edge of theblade 29 is not injured in attaching fingers. The nger is strengthenedby a longitudinally extending rib S5 and carries a replaceable strip 6%constituting the bending edge proper of the finger.

In order that the bending edge of the platen I2 may be positioned in theproper vertical plane relative to the axis of the apron I 4, the platenis laterally adjustable on the horizontal ways 21. This adjustment ismade extensive in order to assure a suiiicient rearward movement of theplaten properly to position the bending edge when the fingers l areemployed. Each headblock I 8, therefore, is substantially longer thanthe slide 25, to which the plate 23 is attached, and has integral at itsrear end a lug 61. Threaded through the lug 61 is a screw 68 engaging atits inner end a lug 69 on the block 25 and having a squared outer end.The engagement between the screw 68 and the lug 69 is such as to permitof rotation of the screw, while securing the screw against relativeaxial movement. By turning the screw, the platen is caused to moverearwardly or forwardly until the bending edge is spaced from thevertical plane through the axis of the apron a distance equal to thethickness of the sheet to be bent.

The bending of conically shaped articles is facilitated by adjusting theplaten I2 so that the bend made at one end of the machine is less thanthat made at the other. That is, for the same swing of the apron Ill,the projecting portion of the sheet will be bent through a certain angleat one end of the machine and through a gradually smaller angleprogressively along the machine to the other end. This will result inone end of the sheet having a larger radius than the other after aseries of bending operations.

Such bending is effected by positioning the bending edge of the platenI2 at an angle with respect to the vertical plane passing through theaxis of the apron. To permit the platen to be set at an angle there is aslight clearance at each end between the slide 25 and the head-block I8(see Fig. 3). In addition, a gib "i' is interposed between the way 21and the groove 26 and is adjustably retained by screws Il to take up theplay in the ways which was intentionally provided. After loosening thescrews 7| the platen I2 may be set at an angle by adjusting one of thescrews 68, such positioning of the platen being permitted by theclearance above mentioned and the play in the ways. Since the bend inthe sheet occurs at the edge of the platen I2, it will be understoodthat with the platen set at an angle, the bend at one end will be closeto the apron and therefore sharp, while at the other end it will bespaced from the apron and therefore less sharp, depending on the angleat which the platen is set. Thus by adjusting the platen properly, anydesired diierence in the sharpness of the bend may be obtained so thatby a series of bending operations a sheet may be bent into a generallyconical shape with the desired radius at the top and bottom.

I claim as my invention:

l. A bending brake comprising, in combination, a framework, a platenxedly supported by said framework and providing a continuous bendingedge for the bending of plane sheets, fingers adapted to be carried bysaid platen to provide a discontinuous bending edge for the bending ofboxes, a bed guided for vertical movement by said framework, an apronhingedly connected to said bed and swingable to effect the bending, anda lever mechanism connected between said framework and said bedadjustable to support the same either in a position to cooperate withsaid ngers when attached or in a position to cooperate with said platenwhen the iingers are detached and operable with said bed in eitherposition to move the same to clamp or release a sheet of metal betweenthe bed and the bending edge with which it cooperates.

2. `A bending brake comprising, in combination, a framework, ahorizontally disposed platen supported in said framework for lateraladjustment and having a bending edge for the braking of plane metalsheets, a bed mounted from said platen to reeeive between the platen andthe bed fingers adapted to be attached over said platen to provide anedge fer the braking of boxes, and operable with the bed in eitherposition to actuate the same to clamp the work, and an apron hingedlyconnected to said bed.

3. A bending brake comprising, in combination,

a framework,V a platen nxedly supported in said c framework and having abending edge, a bed also supported in said framework and movable fromone operative position toward said platen to Cil clampa plane sheet ofmetal between the bending edge and the bed, anrapron hingedly connectedto said bed, said platen and said bed being relaV tively -movable into adilerent operative relation to receive between them iingers adapted tebe attached over said platen toprovide bending i edge accommodatingasheet having an upstanding flange, and means for actuating said bedVfrom either of its said positions to clamp the work. 4. A bending brakecomprising, in combination, a framework, a. platen supported by saidframework and having a bending edge for the bending f of plane sheets, abed also supported by said framework, said bed Yand said platen beingarranged to clamp a sheet ofnietal therebetween, and an apron hingedlyconnected to said bed and swingable to bend theclampe-d sheet, said bedandV said platen being-relatively spaceable to receive between them anupstanding flange on the sheet to be bent and fingers adapted tobeattached over said platen to provide a bending edge accommodating theupstanding ange and cooperatingwith said bed when it is spaced :relativeto said platen,

5. A bending brake comprising, in combination, a framework, a platensupported in saidv y framework, a bed cooperating with said platen toclamp a sheet of metal therebetween, an apre-n adapting the brake forthe bendingfof boxes including mechanism for spacing said bed and saidplaten relative to one another and fingers providing' a new bending edgeon said platen to cooperate with the bed when spaced 1relative to theplaten. Y Y

, 6L In a metal brake havingv a frameworkY and a platen xediy supportedin said framework, a bed guided for vertical movement by saidframework,v an apron hingedly connected vto said bed, and mechanism forsupporting said bed and moving the same toward or away from said platento clamp or release a sheet of metal between said bed and platencomprising, a lever at each end of the brake pivoted to the frameworkand a link for each of the levers connected at one end to the lever teform an over-center device therewith and cennected at the other end tosaid bed te support the same adjacent said platen, said link permittingof a second connection with said bed for supporting the same spaced fromsaid platen.

7. A metal brake comprising, in combination,

a'framework, a platen supported by said framework, a'bed guided by saidframework for up Yvertical positions. c

nected to said bed, a lever mechanism Voperable to move said bed Vtowardor` away from said platen to clamp or release Ya sheetv of metal, and anadjusting device interposed between said bed and said lever mechanismtoradapt the bed to clamp metal sheets cf different thickness.

8. In a brake, a pair of end frames, a horizontally disposed platensupported between said frames, a bed positioned below saidplatenandguided for vertical movement by said end frames, a lever pivotedon eachend frame, a link depending from said lever, and apin projecting hori-Zontally from each end of said bed, said link having a plurality ofspaced holes adapted Vto receive said pin tosupport said bed in vari-ous9. A bending brake having a framework, an apron swingable about an axisextending longitudinally of said framework, a'platen supported in saidframework for adjustment laterally thereof, and means adjustable to freesaid platen for Y Y l0. A metal brake, comprising in combination,

a'framework, a platen supported in said framework and providing abending edge, abed cooperating with said platen to clamp a sheet ofmetal to be bent, an apron hingedly connected to said bed and swingableabout its Yaxis to bend the sheet, the bending edge of said platennormally extending parallel with the raxis of said apron, and means forpositioning said platen with its bending edge at an angie with the axisof .Y

said apron to permit conical bending.

supported between said end frames, and an apron,

a platen providing a bending edgecnormally parallel' withV the axis ofsaid apron comprising,

a plate carrying the bending edge, a groovedV slide rigid with each endof saidfplate, ways on said end frames on which'saidgrooved slides are'movable and a gib interposed betweenV the way and the grooved slideadjustableto provide play betweenthe slide and end'frame permitting saidplaten to be set with its bendingV edge at anY angle to the axis of saidapron.

12. A bending brake comprising,rin combination, a framework, ahorizontally disposed' platen xed in said framework against verticalmove'- ment, a bed positioned below said platen and guided by saidframework for vertical sliding movement relative to said platen, abending apron hingedly connectedrto said bed, means 'for operatingsaidbed to move it bodily toward and from said Yplaten so as to receive andclamp a plane sheet of metal of a given thickness, saidmeans'beingfadjustable to support said bed in a position spacedV asubstantial distance from'theY platen to receive between the platen andthe bed a sheet of metal of the same thickness but having 13. VA bendingbrake comprising, in combination,

a framework, a horizontally disposed Yplaten fixed in said frameworkagainst vertical movement, a bee positioned below said platen andguidedjby Vsaid framework for vertical sliding movement Y toward or awayfrom said platen, a bending apron hingedly connected to said bed, andmeans include ing a link vconnected between the frame and the bedoperable to Vsupport the bed in a position adjacentthe platen and inthatposition torecprocate the bed. to clamp or release a sheet of metal,said link being adjustable to support and reciprocate said bed in asecond position vertically spaced a substantial distance from the firstposition.

14. A bending brake comprising, in combination, a framework, ahorizontally disposed platen fixed in said framework against Verticalmovement, a bed positioned below said platen and guided by saidframework for vertical sliding movement relative to said platen, abending apron hingedly connected to said bed, and means operable tosupport said bed in a position adjacent said platen yand to reciprocatethe bed in that position to clamp a plane sheet oi metal between the bedand platen, said means having a variable connection between the bed andsaid frame to support and reciprocate said bed in a position verticallyspaced a substantial distance from said platen to condition the brakefor clamping boxes.

15. A bending brake comprising, in combination, a framework, ahorizontally disposed platen fixed in said framework against verticalmovement, a bed positioned below said platen and r guided by saidframework for vertical sliding movement, means connected between saidframe and said bed supporting the same and operable to reciprocate saidbed toward and from said platen to clamp a sheet of metal, said meansincluding an adjustable connection to support said bed adjacent saidplaten or spaced therefrom to adapt the brake for the bending of planesheets or boxes, said means having a further and independent adjustableconnection for adapting the bed tol clamp plane sheets or boxes composedof metal sheets of diierent thickness, and an apron hingedly connectedto said bed and swingable to bend the sheet of metal clamped onto thebed.

16. A bending brake comprising, in combination, an elongated supportingframe having up-v right standards at opposite ends thereof, a platenmounted in fixed position on said frame and providing a bending edge,guide brackets mounted on said standards for up and down movements, abed carried by said brackets for cooperation with said platen inclamping the work, a bending apron pivotally mounted on the bed, andoperating levers mounted on said frame at opposite ends thereof and.each having a connection with one of said brackets adjustable to varythe range of movements of the bed relative to the movement of theplaten, said connections including links eccentrically connected withthe respective operating levers and operative in the work-clampingposition of the bed to lock the latter positively against movement awayfrom the platen.

17. A bending brake comprising, in combination, an elongated supportingframe having upright standards at opposite ends thereof, a platen xedlymounted on said frame and providing a bending edge, brackets slidable onsaid upright standards, a bed carried by said brackets for cooperationwith said platen in clamping the work, a bending apron pivotally mountedon the bed, and means mounted on the frame and operatively connectedwith said brackets to move the bed toward and from the platen, saidoperating means including levers fulcrumed on the frame, and linkspivoted at one end to the respective levers eccentrically thereof andoperatively connected at their other ends to said brackets, said leversbeing swingable to carry the link pivots into dead-center relation tothe lever fulcrums in the work-clamping position of the bed, whereby tolock the bed positively against movement away from the platen.

18. A bending brake comprising, in combination, an elongated supportingframe having upright standards at opposite ends thereof, a platenfiXedly mounted on said frame and providing a bending edge, bracketsslidable on said upright standards, a bed carried by said brackets forcooperation with said platen in clamping the Work, a bending apronpivotally mounted on the bed, means mounted on the frame and operativelyconnected with said brackets to move the bed toward and from the platen,and means acting to counter-balance the weight of the bed, saidoperating means being adjustable to vary the range of movement of thebed and including a hand lever mounted on the frame and a linkconnecting the bed and lever and adapted to be locked in thework-clamping position of the bed.

JOHN JENSEN.

